Moldavië gaat luchtvaart geleidelijk integreren in Europese gemeenschappelijke markt (en)

In the framework of the EU-Moldova Cooperation Council, the Republic of Moldova and the European Union have today signed a comprehensive air services agreement which will make Moldova a full partner of the EU in aviation by gradually integrating into the European common market.

Siim Kallas i, European Commission Vice-President responsible for mobility and transport, said: "Today's agreement is very important for further strengthening the overall economic, trade and tourism relations between Moldova and the EU. It will open up and integrate the respective markets, strengthen cooperation and offer new opportunities for consumers and airlines."

The Republic of Moldova and the EU will develop a "common aviation area" based on common rules in important areas such as aviation safety and security. The Republic of Moldova will harmonise its legislation with European standards and implement EU aviation rules also in areas such as environment, consumer protection, air traffic management, economic regulation, competition issues and social aspects.

Air transport is the single most important mode of transport linking the Republic of Moldova to most EU Member States and has been growing steadily in recent years. It is expected that the agreement will offer more travel opportunities, more direct connections and economic benefits for both sides.

As a result all EU airlines will be able to operate direct flights to the Republic of Moldova from anywhere in the EU and vice-versa for Moldovan carriers. The agreement will remove all restrictions on prices and number of weekly flights between the Republic of Moldova and the EU.

Today, there are direct flight connections between the Republic of Moldova and 11 EU Member States (Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom).

Background information

The agreement will be a further step in creating a wider common aviation area between the EU and its neighbours. Similar comprehensive air transport agreements with neighbouring countries have been concluded with the Western Balkan countries, Morocco, Georgia and Jordan - and negotiations have recently been finalised with Israel and are ongoing with Ukraine, Lebanon and Tunisia.

Next steps

The European Commission received a mandate to negotiate a "common aviation area" agreement with the Republic of Moldova in June 2011. Following two rounds of negotiations, the agreement was initialled in October 2011. Moldova and the EU have agreed that the agreement will be temporarily applied from the date of signature. The agreement still needs to be ratified before it will formally enter into force.

Further information:

More information on international aviation relations of the EU at:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air/international_aviation/international_aviation_en.htm